Whose Space? Public Land in the Nation’s Capital—Lance Jay Brown, FAIA, DPACSA

May 9, 20126:30
- 8:00 pm

Occupy D.C. protesters.

Image by Flickr user Illegalsocks

What are the limits to the use of public space? And who gets to decide? From the Bonus Army comprised of World War One Veterans camped out on the banks of the Anacostia River to the current Occupy D.C. movement in McPherson Square Park, protests and demonstrations often test the boundaries of federal property and the first amendment. Architect, urban designer, and City College of New York Professor Lance Jay Brown, FAIA discusses the complex role of open space in our ever urbanizing environment.

Following Professor Brown’s presentation, a panel of respondents explore how design can play a role in creating spaces that serve a variety of functions from large demonstrations to everyday use. Respondents include:

The Charles H. Atherton Memorial Lecture program commemorates the life and legacy of Charles Atherton, who served for almost four decades as Secretary of the U. S. Commission of Fine Arts. The lecture series is dedicated to providing a forum for discourse on the planning and design of Washington, D.C.